Community-Based Political Party Constitution

In the absence of a political party constitution that guarantees each elected neighborhood committee person a voice in decision-making, political parties have often become mere vehicles for County Chairpersons to raise funds and influence the election and appointment of government officials. In the process, local political parties fail to reflect and serve the neighborhoods that they represent. By enhancing the rights of committee persons, local political party constitutions and bylaws facilitate community leadership and ensure democratic decision-making in our political parties.

Key Components:

Provides committee persons the right to select and vote on candidates who receive party endorsement.

Provides committee persons the right to develop and adopt a party platform.

Step 2: PREPARE. Get ready for your presentation by requesting a copy of your party's current constitution & bylaws from the party chair. Reach out to other committee members to build support for your upcoming motion.

Step 3: PRESENT. Download the Model Party Constitution and make a motion at your next meeting for it to be considered by the party. **Be sure to check your current constitution & bylaws for any additional procedural rules required to make changes to the constitution & bylaws.

Step 4: FOLLOW UP! If your motion is being held for consideration, talk to your fellow committee members to gain support for your motion. And if you continue to hit roadblocks? Request a coach from The Citizens Campaign to help you out.